Traditional Turkish wedding celebration begins usually on Sunday evening when the bridegroom’s party go to invite the maiden and take with them a part of the bride’s trousseau to the bridegroom’s house.
On Monday the guests have been invited to the wedding with small pieces of the ritual bread. That night the bride’s body is decorated with henna. She has been dressed in clothes sent by the young man and then goes to take her best friend, who is to stay by the bride’s side constantly during the wedding celebrations. Late on Tuesday evening the bridegroom also goes to get his best friend which also stays together until the end of the wedding celebrations.
The real wedding ceremony starts on Thursday with the shaving of the bridegroom. Then the procession goes to the home of the bride, to walk her into the new home. She then performs a series of ritual acts of protective character. Late in the evening the Hajji reads the required prayer in front of the bridegroom, after which he can proceed to the first wedding night.
On the first week after the wedding ceremony the newly-married couple have visits from their families. Each visit is accompanied by a traditional meal.